0: Of Important Missions

It was a fine day for anything except goodbyes.

Niamh Starsong gazed around the clearing and sighed. Sun shone through the spring leaves, dappling her friend Sariel’s face with splashes of gold. Source, she was going to miss that face.

“Niamh, you look miserable.” Sari interrupted her gloomy thoughts with a wry laugh.

“I’m not. This is just my thinking-face,” Niamh replied, her morose tone unconvincing.

“Well, I’d be miserable if I were traveling all the way to Tanahr with its cities full of mad mages, sea-storms, and no growing green things in sight. I’m not very happy about having to deal with the desert heat, though. I suppose misery may be our lot.”

“Now you’re the one being dramatic.” Niamh bent to pick up a cracked acorn, tossing and catching it absently. “You know these assignments are an honor, so I must ask you to cease and desist your naysaying. Or else.” Niamh lobbed the acorn at the other elf, hitting her square between the eyes.

“Ow,” Sari griped. She stopped to gather a handful of retaliatory acorns from the forest floor.

“Who is the better shot here?” Niamh laughed, dodging her friend’s return fire. Sari’s acorn plonked to the ground somewhere in the distance.

“Fine, fine. I surrender. Just thought I’d try to land a good hit to your face before we’re both gone on errands for the greater good,” Sari said. “I’d say we could write long gossipy letters, but—” Her voice faded.

“I know. I won’t be able to reach you,” Niamh said. “A Scout and a Valiant both on very important missions far from their Sylvan home probably won’t do much letter-writing. Anyway, how do you even pack for a place you can’t imagine? These are truly trying times.”

Sariel scoffed, her dark eyes twinkling with humor. “Oh, I can help you with this one. You simply pack plenty of patience, clean smallclothes, and your best friend into your travel trunk. It’s easy.”

“Your advice is noted, if not useful.” Niamh nudged her friend lightly. “You’d be bored in Tanahr anyway. Reshk sounds far more adventurous.” Niamh paused, uncertainty pooling in her stomach. Adventure was part of the problem, at least for her. With it came great danger, and as many unknowns as there were stars in the sky.

“What is it, Niamh?” Sari prompted, voice gentler than before.

“This mission is not like anything I’ve done before. I’m worried, Sari. I didn’t realize I’d be so afraid,” Niamh admitted.

“It’s just a secretive, dangerous, and incredibly important mission, I’m sure. Nothing at all to be afraid of,” Sari supplied knowingly.

Niamh swallowed, managing a small, nervous laugh. “All the above, and no space for nervousness in the itinerary.”

She gazed at her friend quietly for a moment, a swirl of shared memories passing silently between them like falling leaves on a breeze. Before this moment, Niamh had focused on duty as a way to deal with leaving home. Today, though, duty and honor felt more like loss and sadness than she wanted to admit.

“Well, my assignment will be dangerous too. I’m going to have to learn how not to track sand everywhere I go, and where to find all the best bargains in the Reshk markets. Anyway, I’m sure that Tanahr won’t be as horrible as everyone makes it out to be,” Sariel said with a playful smile.

“You know how Beechwoods folk like to exaggerate the downsides of anything not Beechwoods,” Niamh said with an answering grin. “You’re right. I’ll be fine.”

Niamh had heard from far more reliable sources than Sariel’s rumor mill that Tanahr, the Seat of the Accord, was a remarkable place. Her current commanding officer had assured her that the duties ahead would be a good match for Niamh’s unique skills, and that she might just end up enjoying her travels east.

“I bet you wish you’d not done such a bang-up job of protecting Ruvyn from those bandits,” Sari said, again derailing Niamh’s thoughts from more serious matters. “No casualties for your detachment, and saving the day? No wonder they want you on that big fancy Northgate mission.”

“Ah yes, no good deed will go unpunished,” Niamh countered dryly. “Anyway, it wasn’t just me. A lot of brave people fought for that victory.”

“I know, but you led them. Own your victories, even if it means you get hauled off to the coast as a reward. Anyway, you leave today, and I’m gone by week’s end.” Sariel heaved a sigh. “What will Beechwoods do without us to keep them honest?” She held her serious expression for only a moment before pulling a comical face.

“They will hold a parade in their glee to be rid of us.” Niamh jostled her friend.

Ever since the day Niamh had smacked Aaryn Stillwater square between the eyes with a half-eaten apple in Sari’s defense, the two had been fast friends. It was strange to think there was so much she could not tell the other woman in the months, maybe even years ahead.

Niamh shook off her sorrow, forcing a smile to her lips.

“Sari, be safe out there, since I won’t be with you to hurl apples at those who dare to cross you. In all seriousness, the northern border is in rough shape right now. Stick to the shadows and let your armed escort do the heavy lifting and apple-throwing, okay?”

“You know I’m all for avoiding heavy lifting,” Sariel laughed, warm as the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and pulled Niamh into a tight embrace.

“Source keep you,” Niamh whispered into Sari’s hair. “I can’t wait until we can catch up, whenever that may be.”

“And you too,” Sari said fondly. “I look forward to taunting you with tales of all the gloriously wealthy and handsome men fighting for a chance to win my favor.”

Niamh drew back, battling a sudden urge to cry. Sariel was important to her, the closest thing she had to a sister.

She drew in a slow breath, steeling herself against the ache of farewell, just as a familiar voice rang from the Garrison gates. “Starsong! Time to stow your gear and go.”

“Coming,” Niamh called out a reply, pausing to hand Sari the last two acorns she’d gathered for ammunition earlier, closing her friend’s fingers around the gift. “Keep these. You never know when you might need to annoy someone for the greater good.”

Sari pocketed the acorns, then deftly flicked a third she’d been holding in her left hand, the tiny missile hitting Niamh’s cheek before rolling away into the clearing.

“I’m so proud of you, Sari. Go forth, and conquer,” Niamh grinned. She waved as Sari wandered off toward the town proper. Suddenly alone, Niamh turned toward the Beechwood garrison gates and the caravan waiting for her just inside. It felt as if the weight of her secrets pressed her deeper into the earth with every step toward them.

How could she explain to Sari, or anyone? Her mission was an honor, but the thought of omitting the truth of her new assignment—especially to people she respected—filled her with an unease that no amount of training could have prepared her for.

She shook herself, straightening her shoulders. “Keep it together, Starsong,” she whispered. “One foot in front of the other.” Niamh stood tall and turned to go, saying goodbye to the only lands she’d ever known, ready to journey into the world she’d sworn to protect.